Hair drier



E. N. POTVIN De as, 1930.

HAIR DRIER Filed July 15, 1929 Patented Dec. 23, 193D vIERIIIIES'I N. POTVIN, OF SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA HAIR DRIER Application filed July 15, 1929. Serial No. 378,470.

This invention relates to beauty parlor equipment, and more especially to an auxiliary attachment for hair driers.

An object of the invention is the provision of a headpiece adapted for use in beauty parlors and the like, in drying the hair, and

being treated, from the blast of fluid.

A more detailed object is the provision of a tubular headpiece adapted to be cooperatively connected to a source of .fluid under pressure, such as heated or medicated air, 2 and adapted to be positioned upon the head of the person receiving treatment, and having therein a baflle plate adapted to direct the major portion of the blast away from that.

portion of the patients head which is in a direct line with the direction of flow of the blast. .An adjustable shield is also provided whereby a portion of the annular space be tween the battle and the inner wall of the headpiece, may be either completelyclosed or partially restricted.

A still further object is the provision of an auxiliary attachment for use. in hair drying and analogous uses, which is of a very simple nature, resulting in its economical manufacture and facility of use, and yet which is capable of operating with extreme efficiency in carrying to completion the above enumerated and other objects.

The invention possesses other objectsand advantageous features, some of which, with those enumerated, will be set forth in the fol lowing description of the inventions particular embodiment which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of an attachment incorporating the principles of the present invention; Fig. 2 s a vertical, medial sectional view ience or discomfort to the patient.

taken upon the line 22 of Fig. 1, with the direction of View as indicated.

It is common practice in beauty parlors, to dry a persons hair by subjecting the hair to a blast of heated air. This is accomplished ordinarily by the use of a conventional hand blower, or by a headpiece which is adapted to. be positioned upon the patients head, and having a conduit connected thereto where by heated air is conveyed to the headpiece 00 from a suitable source of supply. An inherent disadvantage of this method, lies in the fact thatthe crown of the head, lying within the direct line of the blast, receives the major portion of the heated air which, to operate efficiently, must be of such temperature that the direct impingement thereof against the patients head, is more or less uncomfortable. Particularly true is this in cases where the patient has relatively long hair, inasmuch as the treatment must be continued for a sufficient length of time to dry all the hair, the major portion of which hangs down around the sides and back of the head.

Therefore, before the side and back hair can be efficiently dried, the relatively thin hair at the top of the head, has already becomedry, and the continued direction of the blast of heated air thereagainst, soon becomes uncomfortable to the patient. Furthermore, the patient derives discomfort from the flow of heated air downwards about the face. It is with these undesirable characteristics of previously existing beauty parlor equipment in mind, that I have produced the improved auxiliary attachment of the present invention which is designed to overcome them, and

yield a device which is capable of operatingefliciently, and still eliminate any inconven- 901 Specifically describing the invention in its most practical embodiment of which I am at present aware, the drying device comprises a tubular headpiece indicated in its entirety at 6, preferably circular in cross section, and

open at both ends. The upper portion 7 of the headpiece 6, preferably flares slightly toward the bottom, and receives a substantially cylindricalportion 8 of suitable-diameter, to bereceived upon the head of the patient receiving treatment. In Fig. 2, the contour of the patients head, is indicated in dashed lines as at 9, to show the manner of employment of the device.

Means are provided at the top of the headpiece 6, for attaching a suitable conduit 11 thereto, whereby such fluid as heated or medicated air, may be conveyed from a suitable source to the interior of the headpiece 6. lVhile any convenient type of conduit 11 may be employed, that disclosed upon Fig. 2, is of flexible material; and a convenient method of attaenment therefor, comprises a resilient ring 12 adapted to press the lower edge of the conduit 11 outwards against the inner circumference of the upper end of the portion 7 of the headpiece 6. A bead 13 is formed at the extreme upper end, forming a groove 14 on the inner circumference, within which the ring 12 is adapted to firmly press the material of the conduit 11, as a result of its inherent expansive resiliency. It will be readily understood that if a different type of conduit 11 is employed, the means of attachment thereof to the headpiece 6, may be suitably varied so as to accommodate whatever type of conduit 11 is to be connected thereto.

A conical battle 16 is disposed coaxially within the headpiece 6, being positioned with its apex 17, which is preferably rounded, directed upwards, and with its base 18 spaced from the inside wall of the headpiece 6, thus defining an annular space 19 between the inner circumference of the headpiece 6 and the portion of largest diameter of the baffle 16. The halite 16 is retained rigidly in position through the expedient of a plurality of ribs 21 soldered or otherwise firmly attached to both the inside of the headpiece 6 and the outside of the baffle 16. The parts are so proportioned and arranged that when the headpiece 6 is positioned upon a patients head 9, the base 18 of the battle, is only slight-- ly above the crown of the patients head, as clearly indicated upon Fig. 2.

A deflector 22 is rigidly mounted inside the headpiece 6 at that portion thereof which is to be positioned above the front of the patients head. This deflector is preferably permanently attached to both the inside of the headpiece 6 and the outside of the baffle 16, for which purpose a suitable flange 23 may be formed at the inner edge of the deflector 22, to facilitate soldering or whatever method of attachment is employed. The under face of the deflector 22, is concave, and the adjacent portion of the base 18 of the baflle 16, is rounded to conform to the configuration of the deflector 22, as indicated at 24.

A slot 26 is formed in the headpiece 6, this slot extending throughout substantially one half the circumference thereof, and having its central portion preferably disposed above the center of the deflector 22. Furthermore, the slot 26 is preferably arranged at an incline so that its ends are considerably lower than its central portion, as clearly indicated upon Fig. 2. Extending angularly upwards from the headpiece 6 within the plane of the slot 26, is a guide 27 in the form of opposed spaced plates 28, soldered or otherwise firmly attached to the outside of the headpiece 6, upon each side of the slot 26. The opposed side edges of at least one of the plates 28, are bent to permit their being attached to the other plate, so as to completely enclose the slot 26. The outer ends 29 of the plates, instead of being joined, are bent back upon themselves as a provision to increase the inherent strength of the structure, and to leave the outermost end of the guide 27 open for the reception of a shield 31 which is slidably mounted between the two plates 28. The outermost edge 82 of the shield 31, is deflected to provide a flan e, thus aflording a better linger grip to facilitate adjustment of the shield; and the parts are so proportioned and arranged that when the shield 31 is pushed to its innermost extreme of movement wherein the flange 32 engages the outermost edge of one of the plates 28, the inner edge 33 of the shield 31. is disposed substantially diametrically of the headpiece 6, as shown upon Fig. 1. .rrccordingly, a notch 34: is formed in the inner edge 33, permitting the edge to conform to the engaged portion of the conical batlle 16.

A clamping screw 36 extends loosely through one of the plates 28, and is threaded into the other. This screw extends through a slot 37 formed in the shield 31 and extending parallel to the side edges thereof; with the result that the shield 81 may be slid outwards within its guide 27, from the position indicated upon the figures, to that position in which it is completely withdrawn from the interior of the headpiece 6, or any position intermediate these two extremes. As a re salt, the shield is adapted to have its effective area varied so as to optionally restrictor completely close t :1 space inside the headpiece and on one side of he baflle. After the shield 31 has been moved to desired position, the clamping screw may be tightened to press the plates 28 firmly thereagainst and hold the shield 31 as adjusted.

The manner of operation of the attaclnnent of the present invention is believed obvious from the above description of its constituent parts. After the conduit 11 has been suitably attached, and the device positioned upon the head 9 of the patient, the air blast should be started. The current of air will hus be directed downwards upon the patients head. However, the baffle 16 will direct the major portion of the air toward the back and sides of the head, so that the crown ofthe head where the hair is thinnest, will not receive tlnt'.

direct action of the blast, and result inthe thicker portions of the hair receiving the major port-ion of the air blast. Furthermore, the deflector 22 will prevent the heated air from striking the patients face. If, as the treatment continues, it is found that the hair at the front of the head, is becoming dry more rapidly than the remaining portions, the shield 31 may be slid inwards as far as deemed advisable, to properly regulate the rapidity of the drying operation over the entire surface of the head. Obviously, the entire headpiece 6 may be twisted from side to side to control the blast of air accordingly.

It is to be understood that the details of the invention as herein disclosed, are subject to alteration within the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a tubular headpiece open at its lower end and adapted to be positioned upon a patients head, means for coupling a source of fluid under pressure to said headpiece, and a slidably adjustable shield disposed within the headpiece to protect selected portions of the patients head from said fluid.

2. A device of the character described, comprislng a tubular headplece open at its lower end and adapted to be positioned upon a patients head, means for coupling a source of fluid under pressure to said headpiece, a shield disposed within the headpiece to protect selected portions of the patients head from said fluid, said shield being adjustable to permit varying the eflectivearea of said shield.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a tubular headpiece open at its lower end and adapted to be positioned upon a patients head, means for coupling a source of fluid under pressure to said headpiece, and a rigid conical baffle arranged coaxially within said headpiece and extending to a position adjacent to the top of the patients head.

4. A device of the character described, comprising a tubular headpiece open at its lower end and adapted to be positioned upon a patients head, means for coupling a source of fluid under pressure to said headpiece, and a rigid conical baffle arranged coaxially within said headpiece, the apex of said baflie being directed upwards and its base being spaced from the inside wall of said headpiece and extending to a position adjacent to the top of the patients head.

5. A device of the character described, comprising a tubular headpiece open at its lower end and adapted to be positioned upon a patients head, means for coupling a source of fluid under pressure to said headpiece, a rigid conical baffle arranged coaxially within said headpiece, the apex of said baffle being directed upwards and its base being spaced from the inside wall of said head piece, and a deflector closing a portion of the annular space between the base of said baflle and'the headpiece.

6. A device of the character described, comprising a tubular headpiece open at its lower end and adaptedto be positioned upon a patients head, means for coupling a source f fluid under pressure to said headpiece, a rigid conical bailie arranged coaxially within said headpiece, the apex of said baffle being directed upwards and its base being spaced from the inside wall of said headpiece, and a deflector closing a portion of the annular'space between the base of said bafile and the headpiece, the inner face of said deflector being concave to conform to the adjacent portion of the patients head.

7. A device of the character described, comprising a tubular headpiece open at its lower end and adapted to be positioned upon a patients head, means for coupling a source of fluid under pressure to said headpiece, and a shield adjustable to optionally restrict or completely close the space inside the headpiece and on one side of the battle.

8. A device of the character described, comprising a tubular headpiece open at its lower end and adapted to be fitted upon a patients head, means for coupling a source of fluid under pressure to said headpiece, a guide extending from the headpiece and enclosing a slot therein, and a shield slidable within said guide and extending through said slot.

9. A device of the character described, comprising a tubular headpiece open at its lower end and adapted to be positioned upon a patients head, means for coupling a source of fluid under pressure to said headpiece, a guide extending from the headpiece and enclosing a slot therein, said slot extending throughout onehalf the circumference of said headpiece, and a shield slidable within said guide and extending through said slot.

10. A device of the character described, comprising a tubular headpiece open at its lower end and adapted to be positioned upon a patients head, means for coupling a'source of fluid under pressure to said headpiece, a guide extending angularly upwards from the headpiece and enclosing a slot therein,

said slot extending throughout one-half the circumference of said headpiece, and a shield slidable within said guide and extendlng through said slot.

11. A device of the character-described,

comprising a tubular headpiece open at its lower end and adapted to be positioned upon a patients head, means for coupling a source of fluid under pressure to said headpiece, a guide extending angularly upwards from the headpiece and enclosing a slot therein, said slot extending throughout one-half the circumference of said headpiece, a shield slidable within said guide and extending through said slot, and means for clamping said shield in selected position.

12. A device of the character described, comprising a tubular headpiece open at its lower end and adapted to be positioned upon a patients head, means for coupling a source of fluid under pressure to said headpiece, a guide extending angularly upwards from the headpiece and enclosing a slot therein, said slot extending throughout one-half the circumference of said headpiece, a shield slidable Within said guide and extending through said slot, the inner edge of said shield being adapted to engage the bafiie and being shaped to conform thereto, and means for clamping said shield in selected position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ERNEST N. POTVIN. 

